The trip down is even more fun than the journey up.
Apres ski culture has fare a long mode . What once was enjoying some libations after hours of rive down the heap has morphed into champagne showers , over - the - top APRES outfit , and a crowd that might seem more and more uninterested in the summercater itself . That ’s whyArapahoe Basin Ski Areais work out to keep the quintessential ski culture active . Sure , there ’s still a free Champagne-Ardenne pledge every Friday at 4:30 pm , but in typical Colorado mode , they ’re go to make you work for it . So strap on your bang and catch the Lenawee Express toIl Rufio , the highest - elevated restaurant in North America situated on top of the Continental Divide . At 12,500 feet , you ’ll get 360 view of the surrounding mountain peak that mirror those of the Swiss Alps and a European - style menu to complement them .
Il Rufio at Snow Plumehad a soft opening in winter 2020 but was forced to close its doors due to the pandemic . Last time of year , the European - panache bistro ( formerly a small resting outpost serving sandwiches and lunchbox menu ) made a comeback , quick to serve their laurels - come through Bloody Marys to the mountain ’s shredders for noonday apres . Abasin is lie with for give the foresightful ski season of the environ Summit County resort hotel , but their base village may not be as action - packed as position like Vail and Breckenridge . That ’s okay , however , because they ’re hiding the tangible hoarded wealth at the top .
Tutto in discesa da qui , Italain for “ It ’s all downhill from here”reads the sign as you get in , which is mean to be accept literally as you ’ll have to be skilled enough to ride dispirited groomers to get back to your car — something to keep in mind as you order your third Peroni . The wall of window faces the resort ’s downhill trails so you may eye up your contender between chomp of Tuscan - style salami and look up to Loveland Pass ’ pristine snow - capped ridge . In a state that gets 300 twenty-four hour period of sunshine , Il Rufio ’s terrace jet out over Larkspur test is a warm welcome for those who prefer to enjoy their heart basking in the frosty great deal air .
Courtesy of Il Rufio
Being in such a remote location , the building has no running body of water and is 100 % solar power operated , making it the highest solar projection at a ski hangout in the full Earth . coordinate with Abasin ’s mission to reduce waste , the restaurant ’s dishes are sent down the chair lift to be cleaned at Black Mountain Lodge , food and food waste is send up and down the mountain daily via snow cats , and all food waste is compost by a local landfill program that is recycle during the summertime months for restoration of the refuge ’s lifts and buildings , to plant trees , and more .
That being said , simplicity was key when it came to food and drinkable managing director Christopher Rybak ’s vision for the carte du jour , making way for inwardness & cheeseflower card and Spritz over the typical chicken digit baskets and Coors Banquet you ’ll find at most mountaintop restaurants . However , Il Rugio is by no mean value fancy , as you ’ll find yourself pose amongst skiers and snowboarder taking interruption in between laps to savor espresso and flatbread or soaking in the view on the deck with a hot chocolate stack high with a mountain of rack up ointment . Once Rybak see how much these unmatched mountaintop views mirrored the Swiss Alps , he really tend into the European ski experience . When the Korbel Bell rings and free champagne is serve , you ’ll know what were talking about .
The majority of the menu is imported from Italy , Spain , and Lithuania , which include a specialty Pinot Noir harvested on the Roumanian side of an Italian , with some specialty local Coloradoan meats and cheeseflower sprinkled in . You ca n’t go ill-timed with the charcuterie panel featuring Spanish Quincebrio crush , Giardiniera , a spicy Spianata Calabrese , 16 - calendar month older humbled prosciutto , a 12 - month aged Manchego from Spain , green European olive tree , marcona almonds , roast tomatoes , roast artichokes , and sourdough staff of life . For something a little more filling , you could go for the porchetta panini or a stadium of their fan - favorite pubic louse and corn chowder , best wash down with veritable Italian amaro .
Courtesy of Il Rufio
From there , skiers can choose from over a dozen runs to make their fashion back to the base of the plenty . Il Rugio is undefended Wednesdays through Sundays at 9 am for deep brown and pastry , and serve lunch from 10:30 am until 2:30 pm .
Courtesy of Il Rufio
Courtesy of Il Rufio
